Saints vs. Browns: Twitter Reaction and Postgame Quotes

The Cleveland Browns have now played two games that are probably responsible for hypertension around Northeast Ohio. In Week 1 the Browns’ valiant comeback fell just short as they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final seconds. In Week 2 it was a completely different story. The Browns did not just win; they beat one of the better teams in the NFL, defeating the New Orleans Saints 26-24.

The Browns were looking to put together two complete halves this week. They accomplished the goal they set out to do.

In the first half, the Browns had a stranglehold on momentum. Until the final drive of the first half, the Browns owned a 16-3 lead, were winning the time-of-possession battle and had allowed the Saints to convert just one third down. The Saints' final 85-yard drive of the half for a touchdown solidified that this one would be a battle to the end.

It could have actually been worse for the Saints, however. Just a few minutes into the second quarter the Browns held a 10-0 lead, and quarterback Brian Hoyer took a shot downfield. The ball was slightly underthrown, but Travis Benjamin had a play and could not reel in a catch that could have gone for a 75-yard touchdown play.

It was tough not to wonder what might had been if it was not for wide receiver Josh Gordon’s suspension.

"

We were two nanograms away from celebrating a Josh Gordon touchdown right now.

— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) September 14, 2014"

Despite the drop and even with Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron missing the game, the Browns receiving corps stepped up big time. Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin combined for 12 catches, 114 yards and a touchdown through the air.

The Saints fell victim to a very raucous FirstEnergy Stadium and had to use all their timeouts with over five minutes to play in the first half. There were times that even the Browns players could not hear anything on the field.

"

A bizarro world. The team playing AGAINST the Browns out of timeouts late in the half and hurt by it.

— Zac Jackson (@FSOhioZJackson) September 14, 2014"

"

Karlos Dansby just told me this was the loudest crowd he's ever played for today; fans so loud he couldn't hear D play calls

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 14, 2014"

The crowd certainly helped, but it was the players themselves who flustered the Saints time and time again. The Browns forced two turnovers which ended up being the difference in the game.

It also seemed that, even with the three straight possessions where New Orleans scored touchdowns in the second half, the Browns always made the big stop. They also converted huge third downs on multiple occasions in this game.

The frustration eventually boiled over on the Saints’ sideline.

"

Whoa. pic.twitter.com/MWCLwZaiu3

— Jay Crawford (@jaycrawfordespn) September 14, 2014"

That should not come as much of a surprise since the Saints defense allowed 324 yards of offense to the Browns and could not get one turnover. It was also only able to get to Brian Hoyer for one sack. Through two weeks the Saints have allowed 63 points and managed just one sack. That is not a good look for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

"

The days of Rob Ryan are looking troubled in New Orleans.

— Jason Cole (@JasonPhilCole) September 14, 2014"

In the end, the Saints frustration, along with some big clutch plays by Hoyer, Hawkins and especially tight end Gary Barnidge, was the difference. The Browns and head coach Mike Pettine are going to relish this one for a little while.

“I can’t lie. It feels great,” said Pettine to the media after the game. “I have a big old cigar with my name on it waiting for me. Don’t ask unnecessary questions please (laughter). It feels great, but to me it’s more…I know I represent this group, but this was a Cleveland Browns win. We wanted it for us. We wanted it for the city. These fans came out, and you could just feel the energy in the stadium today. It was awesome.”

Hoyer was also awesome. He finished 24-of-40 for 204 yards and touchdown. While those numbers do not necessarily jump off the page, he did orchestrate an 85-yard game-winning field-goal drive with about three minutes to play.

“I’m developing an affinity for winning, and he’s a big part of it,” Pettine told the media after the game. “I thought he stepped it up that last drive. I think he was four-for-four on that last drive. (He was) very poised, bringing pressure, found ‘Hawk’ (WR Andrew Hawkins) wide open on the seven route. Some of the quarterbacks usually would look shorter in that situation, and he let it go. The fourth down throw to (TE Gary) Barnidge I thought was probably his best throw of the day. He cut it loose. The guy was hanging on his back. Gary made a hell of a play.”

The rookie running backs could not have been any bigger for the Browns either. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell combined for 30 rushes for 122 yards and a touchdown. They also caught three passes for 25 yards. Even with Ben Tate missing the game because of a knee injury, the Browns dominated the run game.

They just might have a special combination in those two guys.

"

Crowell and West showing why they were two of my favorite prospects in this past draft. Awesome talents who will thrive for the #Browns

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 14, 2014"

Finally, the biggest piece of the victory in my opinion was linebacker Karlos Dansby. He led the team with 12 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss. The sack came on the final third down of New Orleans’ final drive, and it knocked the Saints out of field-goal territory. It was the biggest defensive play of the day.

Even making a game-saving play just is not enough for the confident, veteran linebacker.

“He was upset coming off the field because he didn’t get the ball out, but that’s the kind of guy he is,” said Pettine after the game to the media. “We needed a play, and obviously he stepped up and made one.”

"

#Browns ILB Dansby: "That's why they brought me in -- I know how to win. I have been in winning programs & I'm just trying to be contagious"

— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) September 14, 2014"

The confidence is certainly becoming contagious, and the Browns look like a legitimate football team for the first time in a long time. Next week when the Baltimore Ravens come to town they can try and prove they are a legitimate threat in the AFC North as well. That is the next step in the maturation process of this young club led by Mike Pettine.

All quotes and observations were gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted.